General Mills: Leveraging Prevu3D software to streamline engineering workflows

• Outdated as-built documentation based on inaccurate 2D CAD drawings
• Time-intensive on-site measurements and manual validation
• Safety risks in active industrial environments (machinery, heights, confined spaces)
• Poor coordination between engineering, BIM, and construction teams
• Frequent design errors, clashes, and costly rework
• Project delays due to inefficient validation and approvals
• Limited reuse of engineering data across future projects

• Accurate as-built 3D models generated from point cloud and reality capture data
• Remote measurement and virtual site access, reducing site visits
• Improved safety by limiting exposure to hazardous environments
• Centralized 3D environment for better collaboration and coordination
• Enhanced design accuracy with clash detection and spatial analysis
• Faster project planning, validation, and execution
• Scalable digital asset usable across design, construction, and operations

Modernizing a General Mills Manufacturing Facility with 3D Laser Scanning

General Mills’ engineering team implemented a 3D digital twin solution at their food production plant in St-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada, to modernize outdated documentation and improve the accuracy of engineering and construction workflows.

Challenge: Outdated 2D Plans and Inefficient Site Validation

The facility relied on legacy 2D CAD drawings that no longer reflected the current as-built conditions of the plant.

This gap created significant inefficiencies, requiring frequent on-site measurements, manual verification, and rework during project planning.

For complex industrial environments like food manufacturing plants in Quebec, inaccurate documentation increases the risk of design conflicts, construction delays, and cost overruns.

Solution: 3D Laser Scanning and Reality Capture for As-Built Accuracy

To overcome these challenges, General Mills adopted a 3D laser scanning and reality capture workflow to create a precise, up-to-date digital twin of the facility.

As part of a planned roof reinforcement project, the engineering team integrated Prevu3D’s digital twin software into their workflow, enabling accurate 3D visualization, measurement, and validation of the site without repeated physical visits.

Technology Deployed: NavVis VLX 3 and RealityPlatform™

Based on high accuracy requirements, Prevu3D’s scanning partners used the NavVis VLX 3 mobile mapping system to capture:

• Interior production areas and processing lines
• Exterior building structures and façades
• Roofing systems and structural elements
• Hard-to-reach industrial spaces

The collected point cloud data was processed using RealityPlatform™, generating a detailed mesh-based 3D model of the entire facility.

Result: High-Fidelity Digital Twin for Engineering and Construction

The final deliverable was a comprehensive industrial digital twin, providing a complete spatial understanding of the St-Hyacinthe plant. This enabled:

• More accurate engineering planning and design validation
• Efficient clash detection and constructability reviews
• Improved collaboration between engineering and construction teams
• Reduced need for on-site inspections and measurements

Remote Design and Measurement Optimization for Industrial Projects

Prevu3D enabled General Mills to enhance the design phase of a roof reinforcement project at their St-Hyacinthe, Quebec facility by leveraging a 3D digital twin built from laser scanning data.

Using point cloud-based measurements and 3D visualization tools, engineers were able to conduct accurate remote site analysis, spatial validation, and design planning without traveling on-site.

This significantly reduced exposure to industrial safety risks while accelerating engineering execution timelines.

The ability to extract precise dimensions directly from the digital twin eliminated hours of manual measurements, improving both design accuracy and project efficiency in a complex manufacturing environment.

Engineering Insight: BIM Workflows and As-Built Data for Design Accuracy

Yves Gaudreault, Mechanical Engineer, plays a key role in ensuring that building systems, energy performance, and environmental requirements remain aligned with evolving industrial processes.

Drawing from prior experience with BIM during the construction of a new manufacturing facility, he recognized the value of integrating as-built 3D data with BIM workflows.

Prevu3D supports:

• Accurate design of mechanical and structural installations
• Seamless transition between existing conditions (brownfield) and new designs
• Improved coordination between engineering disciplines and process requirements

This combination of digital twin technology and BIM modeling enhances decision-making across both initial design and retrofit projects.

Ongoing Engineering Project: Roof Reinforcement

The General Mills engineering team is currently in the final design phase of the roof reinforcement project, using the Prevu3D digital twin platform to:

• Perform final design validation and constructability checks
• Coordinate across engineering, construction, and operations teams

Maximizing Value from 3D Scanning and Digital Twin Workflows

By improving the accessibility and usability of 3D scanning data, Prevu3D enables broader adoption of digital twin and reality capture workflows across the organization.

This approach supports:

• Scalable engineering and design collaboration
• Better utilization of point cloud and mesh data
• Increased ROI from laser scanning investments
• Data-driven decisions across the asset lifecycle (design, construction, operations)

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